A bit more about Project Teen

I thought I’d pop in here and share with you a bit more about my book, Project Teen: Handmade Gifts Your Teen Will Love 21 Projects to Sew. I promise I won’t be inundating you with book related posts over the next few months, but I know that personally I like to have a good idea of what projects are in a book before I buy it. So this fall, every few weeks I’ll share with you the details of a couple of the projects in the book.

I spent 3 years coming up with the projects in the book. I got the idea that I wanted to submit a book proposal a few years ago but then sat and “thought” about it for a couple of years. I’d come up with an idea, then scrap it, then come up with another idea and so on an so on. I wanted to really make sure that all of the projects in the book were ones that were useful, and worthwhile.

The premise of the book is that even if you have older kids/grandkids you can still sew for them! If you’ve read my blog for a little while you might know that I’m pretty passionate about the subject. My kids are older and I still LOVE to sew for them. I know that there is a bit of fear though when sewing for teens and tweens (and even college kids)… so I thought I’d share in the book some of the things that have worked for me in the past to come up with projects that they love. I talk about fabric selection, gift ideas, etc..

Okay now for the fun part, let’s talk about some of the projects!!

First up is the Study Pillow. My kids love to do their homework all over the house and outside. One day my daughter had a pillow, a book, an iPod, and a bunch of notebooks with her and kept dropping them all. I thought— HA! A pillow with pockets, and the Study Pillow was born. It features Minke on the back to make it super soft and a handle for easy carrying. I walk you through how to make the custom applique in the book too.

Also in the book are Quilt patterns (plus a few fleece blankets too). This quilt is called “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” and is constructed purely from Fat Quarters! (with the exception of the back and binding). I don’t know about you, but I love to buy Fat Quarter packs of fabric and I always want to use them ALL in an project. This quilt is perfect for that. It’s also a great pattern if you want to use some novelty fabrics (which teens love!). You can also easily switch out the fabric selections to make one for a guy.

For better or for worse gadgets have taken over both our and our kids lives. In the book there are 3 patterns specifically for gadets. This one is make from an Upcycled Men’s Suit coat! The idea came from trying to make an iPad case that was CUTE and functional. One that could easily pass as a clutch if you didn’t know what was inside. I also love the pop of zebra fabric in the lining.

The last project I want to chat about today is this Homework Folder. Do your kids do their homework then LOSE it before they get to school?? Or forget ot turn it in?? Mine do all the time and it drives me CRAZY! Why go to all the trouble of doing your homework then not turn it in? This folder is made from laminate fabric, has elastics inside to hold homework and is BRIGHT so it doesn’t get lost in their backpacks.

Even though the book is full of gift ideas for teens I tried to make the projects as universal as possible.. even though I’m a “grown up” I’d love many of the projects for myself! Hopefully you can find something inside that you will love.

The book just showed up in stock on Amazon last week!! You can order a copy there. Or you can get one from me. I’ve been signing all of the copies that go out, but if you don’t want yours signed, just let me know in the notes section of paypal.

Melissa Mortenson is the author of the Polka Dot Chair blog which is in its 7th year of sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers. She is the author of "Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love". Her first fabric line "Derby Style" debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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Comments

I’m so excited to get this book! I have 3 teenage daughters ages 17, 16, & 14. My oldest will go off to college next year. These projects will be fun to create for them. Thank you for designing these projects for this age group!

Hello Melissa,
This looks like a fantastic book for Teens. I have a question for you…Are the projects in this book ones that older kids and teens could make themselves? I have started a sewing class for kids and they will be bringing in their own projects to sew and I want to offer some project ideas for them also. I will be starting off with beginner projects: pillowcase, pj bottoms, and drawstring bags and adding as they progress.

Yes, the book was not originally designed that way but it seems that most people are using it as a book of projects for teens to make themselves. There are many different projects for all skill levels, so there are projects for beginners.

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